Comcast’s NBCUniversal is in the process of spinning off the majority of its cable television channels into a new entity known as Versant — although these networks will still be included in NBCU’s upfront presentation next year.
NBCU has already set the date for its upfront showcase aimed at advertisers for the 2026-27 season: It is scheduled for Monday, May 11, 2026, and will return to Radio City Music Hall in New York City, located directly across from 30 Rockefeller Center. This event will celebrate the 100-year milestone of the NBC broadcast network.
Comcast is actively working to divest several of NBCU’s cable channels and other assets into Versant. This transaction, which will create an independent publicly traded company, is anticipated to close by the end of 2025. Versant will include networks such as CNBC, MSNBC (which will soon be rebranded as MS NOW), USA, E!, Syfy, Oxygen, and the Golf Channel, while Bravo will remain part of NBCU, alongside NBC’s broadcast division, NBC News, NBC Sports, Telemundo, and Peacock.
Nevertheless, NBCU has arranged a commercial-services agreement with Versant, ensuring that NBC will handle the U.S. advertising sales for Versant’s inventory for the next two upfront cycles.
“As NBC approaches its centennial, we will not only commemorate our storied past but also chart our path forward,” said Mark Marshall, chairman of NBCUniversal global advertising and partnerships, in a statement. “This Upfront, we will present the future of advertising, content, and technology, showcasing NBCUniversal’s leadership in innovative advertising solutions and leveraging our comprehensive ecosystem to create new opportunities for brands, creators, and viewers.”
NBCU estimates that their combined network portfolio with Versant will reach 286 million viewers by 2026. The company is highlighting its unified representation of all domestic Versant networks along with their digital offerings, solidifying its position as a central hub for advertisers.
In addition, Telemundo will reinstate its Tuesday evening presentation slot (May 12, 2026) with a special “exclusive client experience” in New York City, coinciding with the lead-up to the FIFA World Cup 2026. The specific location for the Telemundo event has yet to be announced.
